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Thai Visas and Visa RunsTell us about your Thailand visa run experience, ask about doing a Thai Visa run here. Where is the best place to get a visa for Thailand? What paperwork did you need for a Thai Non Immigrant Visa? Where can you get Thai Multiple Entry Visas? Is a Retirement Visa that difficult to get? Want to take your Thai Girlfriend back to the UK or need a Thai Visa for yourself? Also for questions on visa entry requirements to other countries & overstay in Thailand.

I was scouting around among the posts before going without finding anything up to date, so I figured after having gone through it I should post an update here.

I just went to Phnom Penh to get a new Tourist Visa - where my aim was a double entry. I didn't know if that was possible to get here before going, but I'd figured I would chance it since I wanted to visit Cambodia anyways.

After having arrived in PP i started looking and asking around to see what the various places said about it. I started off by asking at the hotel (who offered visa services). They didn't even know what a double entry visa meant, but after some explaining they understood and called their agent. After having chatted a bit on the phone she relayed the conversation to me (without thinking beforehand) and she said that they don't give out double entry but that a single entry was 41 dollars. Note here that the fee of the visa itself is 40 dollars. She realized her mistake and said that price is what the agent took, the hotel would have to charge 50 dollars. I said I'd think about it and went on my way.

I had just found out from a friend that large parts of the city would close down in honor of the late king, which included the Thai embassy, for 4 working days. The hotel didn't mention this, which I kept in mind. I went on to asking a few other places and they all confirmed that double entry wasn't an option. I finally settled for a place that looked trustworthy and where I got a good feeling of the staff. The said that double entry wasn't possible (again), but that they could get a single entry to me for 45 dollars. This meant a service charge of 5 dollars, which isn't too bad.

Note here that they first asked if I had a flight ticket out of Thailand (which I don't for the primary reason that I have no direct intention of leaving anytime soon) - I said; nope. They said they could fix that for 1 more dollar. I was like what ever - and said yes. They then informed me of the situation with the Thai embassy (they were the first to do that, which is what made me choose the place) and explained to me that I either had to take a "rush" order or wait until the embassy reopened. I asked how much the rush order was and they said it was an additional 3 dollars - bringing the grand total up to 49 dollars. It was now almost on par with what the hotel had offered (The Walkabout Hotel), but with the big difference of these people seemed to know what they were talking about. I paid the 49 dollars upfront and handed in my passport and a photo (the had a service for this as well for an additional dollar, but I had brought my own). I was given a date 3 days ahead to come pick it up. The days went by and when I got back I was handed my passport with a single entry visa in it. Smooth sailing.

The agency is on the same street as (and near) "Heart of Darkness", "Saigon" and "Walkabout Pub".

During my inquiries I got the feeling that you can pretty much go to any travel agency and ask for it - none of them do it directly - they all hire the agents themselves. And pretty much everyone is in on this trade - hotels, agents, travel agencies even some restaurants. You might wonder why I chose not to go to the embassy directly? It's because you technically need to have proper travel documentations out of Thailand to show the embassy and from what I gather the clerks at the embassy get some kickback from the agents, leaving them preferring that method, which in turn makes them strict towards walk-ins. I don't think it's a problem if you actually have the required documents (might even get a double entry) - See below. I didn't and I have to deal with embassies, so I took the agent and seeing how it worked out well I feel it was a good call.

Securing a Tourist Visa for Thailand in Phnom Penh is neither as convoluted or as perilous as the O/P is relating.

Even an tentative itinerary (a booking made but not paid) is accepted as a "ticket out of Thailand" by the Embassy there. A lot of people go to Air Asia make a booking but don't finalize the transaction. They print it out and just show the page which lists their name, flight and date of travel. AFAIK, they aren't asking for proof of sufficient funds anywhere right now although it is written into the official requirements.

Most Thai Embassies are looking at the passports to see if someone has several back to back tourist visas. They're trying to weed out the people who are living here as a "perpetual tourist", but even then, they're not that strict about it.

Phnom Penh is also notoriously SLOW, 3-4 days is the normal wait time, so there was no need to pay for "rush service". They aren't any stricter on "walk ins" than any place else, they just want you to attempt to follow the rules. It's no different from Thai Immigrations inside Thailand, they aren't tryin' to make it hard on anyone to stay here, they just want you to follow their rules. I mean after alll it is their country..

Vientiane Lao is a far better choice for a Tourist Visa. You turn in your application, passport and fee before noon, the next day after 1PM you pick up your passport. There are even touts standing around outside who offer "same day service" for a fee.

There is even a more "user friendly" Thai Embassy in Savannakhet Lao which is across the river from Mukdahan Thailand.

I think the O/P didn't do his due diligence in researching where the best place to go to secure a Tourist Visa.

Sounds like it was a fun filled 4+ days in Cambodia, and could have been avoided totally with just a brief search in Google.

__________________
"Whoever said `Money can`t buy you love or joy` obviously was not making enough money." <- quote by Gene $immon$ of the rock group KISS

Well, my apologies for trying to chip in. I have learned my lession. And for the record - I was only stating my experience (which obviously is very limited) - I didn't claim to be some super experienced visa runner.

I have known a guy in Vientiane for 10 years that can get you a Non B 1 year multiple entry for 30,000 thb. Sound like allot of money but considering it is all legit, if you need a Non B and cannot otherwise qualify, this is the way to go. Everyone is on the take these days, everyone

Thanks, I was just a bit surprised by the very harsh barrage of comments. OH well.

I found Walkabout to be a pretty relaxed place and it had some rather nice local specimens eager to make one's acquaintance. I also liked the location being within convenient walking distance to a lot of places.

As one of my primary reasons for coming to Cambodia was that I wanted to see the country I took a bus down to see Sihanoukville. I took a local bus leaving from the bus station near the back of Sorya Mall (or market as they call it). It was 5 dollar 50 cents and there was a ton of departures to choose from. Worked like a charm. There are a lot of offers for mini-buses and the like, but I don't really see the meaning of that. The trip took about 5 hours.

Anyways, anyone have any advice on the best way to get from Sihanoukville to Siam Reap? I heard that the roads there from PP are a nightmare - but I have no personal experience from it.

I have known a guy in Vientiane for 10 years that can get you a Non B 1 year multiple entry for 30,000 thb. Sound like allot of money but considering it is all legit, if you need a Non B and cannot otherwise qualify, this is the way to go. Everyone is on the take these days, everyone

For 30,000 baht any visa agency in pattaya will secure this visa ^^^ or seed money or student visa or anything else to keep you paying.

Good to see foreigners coming out to point out ways they can circumvent the system rather than using the rules as tools to further your stay here.

I mean if I can follow the rules and the hundreds of people I've shepherded thru Bangkok Immigrations can follow them too; just about any half-wit can if they try.

If you are over 50 there is NO need to "know the right person" to get a yearly extension of stay and a multiple re-entry permit. Meet the requirements for that extension of stay and the cost of those two things at ANY Immigrations office here inside Thailand is 1900 baht for the extension and 3800 baht for the multiple re-entry permit or just 5700 baht!!

Good to see foreigners coming out to point out ways they can circumvent the system rather than using the rules as tools to further your stay here.

I mean if I can follow the rules and the hundreds of people I've shepherded thru Bangkok Immigrations can follow them too; just about any half-wit can if they try.

If you are over 50 there is NO need to "know the right person" to get a yearly extension of stay and a multiple re-entry permit. Meet the requirements for that extension of stay and the cost of those two things at ANY Immigrations office here inside Thailand is 1900 baht for the extension and 3800 baht for the multiple re-entry permit or just 5700 baht!!

TRUE
and if u DON'T meet the requirements???

I have no trouble following the rules but Its Thailand and there are always options

i travel around in SEA and stay right now in PP. My Hotel offers all so i see the visa information for thailand. not bad. i not planned there to stay longer but can change my mind. so i just looked a little on the internet, talk to the hotel and after i read this i went to the same agency (Sr Angkor Travel Co. LTD, #59E, St. 51 (pasteur), Phsar Thmey III, Khan Daun penh, Phnom Penh). cause only 3 min from my hotel also.

To me talked a young man, his english was not so well. So i only said need tourist visa Thailand. He talked to some woman, then say say no problem and that they offer 1, 2, 3 or 4 days (normal time). I just come here and have time so i took the 4 day package. 45 $. I give him my passport and one picture and he wanted a confirmed flight back from BKK to my country. I donīt have it, so he tell me he can do it for 5 $ more. donīt know why they charged you only one, but my hotel was also 5 $. good luck for you

So i give it on Monday arround 1 pm and he told me to get back around friday afternoon or saturday morning. And today he called me after 5 pm, visa is ready.